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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask new partner to move in to help with our baby?

111 replies

DizzyDrone · 27/01/2026 23:04

First off, I've been with my partner since Feb last year. I have a 7 & 8 year old from a previous relationship, dad not involved & hasn't been for year's. He has a 6yo, he's widowed and has been since just after his son turned 2.

We met when the boys were 3 at the school nursery, they're now Y2

I got pregnant very early on, I'm sure I'll be judged. I don't take contraception like the pill/implant as I physically can't, I haven't found one that works for me. We were using condoms, he had no issue with it and we were when baby was conceived. There was no time we didn't.

We were both initially shocked, but we got our heads around it and decided to keep the baby, his late wife's family have been incredibly supportive too which I appreciate.

I gave birth to our baby last week on the 22nd. Through an emergency c section, we went into hospital for reduced movements, baby ended up in distress, the cord was around his neck. DP lost his wife during childbirth and their little girl, so this was obviously triggering for him. I've told him he can talk to me, he assures me he's okay but I can't help but worry for him and feel guilty in a way.

Anyway, he's been great with our baby, we got home the next day on the Friday, he stayed the night and sorted the kids etc. Then Saturday, my eldest was at respite for the day and overnight (he's autistic and was already planned) and his late wife's family offered to have DS as well as his son like originally planned. I didn't expect this at all but they are close and Bothloved it. It was just us and baby all day Saturday and overnight, then Sunday the kids came back. After he'd picked them up, he got back here and cooked dinner, they all got into their pjs here and we watched a movie, he put my eldest to bed (eldest wanted him to) and took his son home.

Yesterday, he came here in the morning to pick up DS2 and left his car here and took both boys to school, and spent the day here with me and baby and then picked them up, made dinner and went home etc. Today he did the same except he didn't make dinner because his son had swimming and I obviously didn't want him to feel pushed out, DP told me to text him if I needed anything but I've stupidly lied.

Today I've struggled as eldest’s school transport was late and delayed which put Him on edge for the rest of the day, I'm in pain still and really struggled with dinner. I had to get my 7yo to. Help put things in the oven and get them out as I can't bend down. DS1 was crying saying he wants daddy. I know calling him that isn't ideal early on, he's got limited words and he hears his son call him that.

Would it be unreasonable to ask him to move in/at least stay over more? His son has a bed here, we got bunk beds for him and DS2 as they were staying over during pregnancy, not all the time but we did days out and things.

OP posts:
Mulledjuice · 28/01/2026 00:46

HoneyOats · 27/01/2026 23:53

Not to be nasty but I was a lone parent and had a C-section and just got on with it with 3 other kids to look after, you will be surprised at what you’re capable of when you have no one that will help. You were lucky to have people that could not everyone has that.

Eh? There are no prizes for heroics - the OP doesnt have noone, she has the baby's father - who should be there helping.

HAPPILYMARRIEDSINCE2012 · 28/01/2026 00:30

Tiedbutchorestodo · 27/01/2026 23:49

You’ve known each other several years now (nursery - Y2), been together a year, your children get on, there’s no awkward ex issues and you’ve got a baby together. I’m not sure why you’ve not already moved in together - sounds a no brainer to me.

Edited

This

HoneyOats · 27/01/2026 23:53

Datadriven · 27/01/2026 23:18

You’ve just had your baby by c-section and he’s not staying with you to help? How are you coping? I don’t think it would be unreasonable at all to ask him to stay with you.
I had c-sections and remember needing someone to look after me so that I could look after the baby. In fact, my mum stayed with me for a month while I recovered from the operation. The first few weeks are gruelling anyway even without a c-section - you really deserve all the support you can get!
Congratulations on your new baby xx

Not to be nasty but I was a lone parent and had a C-section and just got on with it with 3 other kids to look after, you will be surprised at what you’re capable of when you have no one that will help. You were lucky to have people that could not everyone has that.

Pistachiocake · 27/01/2026 23:52

Yes, if you love each other and have a kid, why not? It's good that his late wife's family are supportive, and I hope they can help all of you, it's great for kids to have as many loving adults as possible, You sound caring for respecting how difficult things are for him too, so I hope you can both support each other.

Tiedbutchorestodo · 27/01/2026 23:49

You’ve known each other several years now (nursery - Y2), been together a year, your children get on, there’s no awkward ex issues and you’ve got a baby together. I’m not sure why you’ve not already moved in together - sounds a no brainer to me.

PollyBell · 27/01/2026 23:40

How on earth is moving him in going to help with the older children none of this is fair on them

DizzyDrone · 27/01/2026 23:38

He stayed over Friday & Saturday, Sunday was pretty much ok as he didn't leave until about 8pm, and yesterday seemed much better than today but today I've been in a lot more pain than I was as well as eldest being on edge from this morning. It's been a struggle.

We didn't really discuss it no. The c section was unplanned and he told me to text if I needed anything, he's also here all day from when he drops off the DCs at school, he's also been doing dinner but today he couldn't as his son had swimming and I'm conscious on him not feeling pushed out so I think telling him he wasn't going to be taken to his swimming lesson would've gone badly.

OP posts:
Cookingupmyfirstbornson · 27/01/2026 23:24

Did you not discuss this... Like I'm having major surgery ill prob need some help?

Bestwishes23 · 27/01/2026 23:21

He should absolutely be staying more to do his fair share of parenting your joint child, especially while you're healing. However, moving your boyfriend in long-term really wouldn't be fair on your kids or his.

PickledElectricity · 27/01/2026 23:19

Didn't you just post this exact thread?

Datadriven · 27/01/2026 23:18

You’ve just had your baby by c-section and he’s not staying with you to help? How are you coping? I don’t think it would be unreasonable at all to ask him to stay with you.
I had c-sections and remember needing someone to look after me so that I could look after the baby. In fact, my mum stayed with me for a month while I recovered from the operation. The first few weeks are gruelling anyway even without a c-section - you really deserve all the support you can get!
Congratulations on your new baby xx

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